After the death of Patel Jawaharlal Nehru became an undisputed leader of the nation. Clearly for Congress and the country Nehru era had begun. In this era the relations between Nehru and Birla remained cold. G.D. Birla had Hinduist bend of mind while Jawaharlal was fierce advocate of secularism. For Nehru the family background of Birla appeared very outdatedly orthodox. He himself was a London educated modern man and a socialist. Birla was capitalist and believed in free enterprise. Whenever they found themselves together at social or official event they had little to talk about. There were other resons for this cold relationship. Nehru believed in 1920 only because of financial support of Birla Madan Mohan Malviya managed to gain the presidentship of Congress. The closeness of Birla to Sardar Patel was another reason. In the personality of Nehru there was clear imprint of western culture and he was also educated in the British system.
But there was an occasion when both of them felt respect and admiration for each other. In 1946 once G.D. Birla was going to Benaras to see his father Raja Baldeodas. Near Allahabad his car broke down. G.D. Birla hired a tonga and went to Anand Bhavan, the abode of Nehrus. The unexpected guest was warmly received by the host, Nehru who heppened to be there. Graciously he arranged for the onward journey of Birla to Benaras. The two sat and talked for two hours. Later Birla told to Sardar Patel—‘Meeting Nehru does get one under the charm of his attractive personality. But he does not engage in ordinary level talk.”
Post Independence relations with Nehru
The real crack between Nehru and Birla appeared when Congress exerted pressure on Nehru that since Gandhiji died in Birla House it should be converted into ‘Gandhi’ Memorial’. Nehru did not want to aquire it. It was a private property of a person and it would be immoral and unethical to turn into a memorial. It was necessary to persuade Birla to give away that property. Under pressure Nehru suggested to Birla that he could spare at least the room and the garden where Gandhiji was assassinated to be turned into a memorial of Gandhiji.
Birla said his Birla House was a legacy of his 32 years of association with Gandhiji. Every part of it carried the memories of Mahatma. He made it clear he won’t share those memories. Birla House was like his child that can not be sawed even in dreams, he said. Kishor Mashroowala and Vinoba Bhave agreed with the stand taken by Birla and request the president Dr. Rajendra Prasad the stop the procedure in progress to aquire Birla Bhavan.
In this matter Sardar Patel had openely taken the side of Birla by saying, “Personally I don’t want Birla House turned into a National Legacy without the consent of the owner of that property. People’s sentiments are attached with Bapu and for that reason I won’t make a public statement. It will hurt the soul of Bapu and Birla both. This kind of unfair demand on Birla is violence against Bapu. We should not create any pressure which might pain Birla. It is important to respect the personal feelings of Birla.”
On January 30, the day of death anniversary of Gandhiji (Bapu) Congressmen including Nehru and Rajendra Prasad used to go to Birla Bhavan garden to pay homage to him. Birla allowed those who wanted to pay homage. But Nehru thought that Birla did not want to give his House in part or whole to the government for Gandhi memorial simply for emotional reasons. It created tension between them.
One more case in 1947 viciated their relationship. That year four industrial houses were put under investigation for financial irregularities. Birla was one of them. Then, finance minister acting on his own had dissolved the investigation committee and withdrawn the charges of financial irregularities. Nehru took it seriously and expressed his displeasure. On August 16, 1948 the finance minister resigned creating constitutional crisis.
The changed political scene and his growing differences with Nehru gave the message to G.D. Birla that he inspite of having the image of industrial nation builder he was required to keep highlighting his past role. The atmosphere was also pro-socialist and people were supporting Nehru line of industrial policy heavily accentuated on public sector. Birla wanted to remind people that besides being a businessman he had contributed to nation’s freedom effort and through industry he was making significant contribution to the progress of the country. In this effort, in 1950 a 570 page book titled ‘On the Road to Progress’ was published. It was edited by Parasnath. It showed how Birla had proved his patriotism by protesting against the repressive trade policies of the British.
Then he published his memorial book of Gandhiji compiling his entire correspondence with Gandhiji. Published in November, 1959 the book was titled ‘Under the Shade of Mahatma Gandhi’. Foreword was written by Dr. Rajendra Prasad who mentioned how Birla had given financial help for freedom struggle. He wrote Birla was like a child of Gandhiji.
The first part of the book carried the childhood of G.D. Birla and also his association with Lala Lajpat Rai. The selected letters showed Birla had helped the Congress often in various ways. Through Gandhiji it was shown that Birla had contributed considerably to the welfare of the country and Gandhiji had himself admitted that fact.
The book was marketed in India and Britain. British press had welcomed the release of the book. At domestic level G.D. Birla had no sorrows or worries. His grandson Sudarshan had grown into a 18 year old youngman. Aditya was born in 1944. G.D. had not spent time with his sons but he now gave ample time to his grandson to make up for that. Aditya was his favourite. G.D. Birla would take them to holidays in London and Switzerland.
Hard time for private sector industries
In the very early stages of the period after independence it had become clear that the national leaders in power had been bitten by socialist bug. It was made clear that the vital industries of national importance would be nationalised. In 1948-49 a list of such industries was issued to enable the private players in those sectors to wind up their businesses in 5-10 years’ time.
It was a time of danger for the private business houses and enterprises. G.D. Birla was the only person amongst industrialist who had some say in the central politics due to his Congress connections. The industrialist requested him to represent their case. Birla tried to oppose the nationalisation in dignified way. Earlier it was hoped that Sardar Patel might come to their rescue but he was no more there. The socialistic policies of Nehru were getting huge public support. G.D. understood that he needed to find a ground in the central government politics.
In 1951 he wrote a letter to Nehru that he would collect funds for the Congress party for 1952 General Elections. He sent Rs. 50,000 as his own contribution. Then, Congress was a strong party with the legacy of the freedom struggle and it was a one horse race. So, little money was needed for publicity or campaign. Election Commission had fixed a ceiling of Rs. 25,000 for expenses for M.P. and only Rs. 5000 came the real expenditure per seat. But in 1957 General Elections the scene had much changed. Three more national parties had come into existence and they were in the fray—Praja Socialist Party, Communist Party of India and Jana Sangh. The important thing was that the election propaganda had become a very vital factor.
Congress also needed funds. Hence, G.D. Birla was included in the fund raising task. Then, Morarji Desai, T.T. Krishnamachari and G.D. Birla were doing the job. But Morarji Desai made it clear that on the basis of personal contacts with industrialists he won’t do the task. In such a situation J.R.D. Tata informed Morarji Desai that without the permission of Supreme Court the enterprises of Tata Group won’t be able to donate any fund to the Congress election kitty. Then, Morarji Desai withdrew from the fund raising group leaving the entire responsibility on T.T.K. and G.D. Birla.
With the cooperation of G.D. Birla 1 crore 92 lac rupees were raised for the Congress election fund. In this task his brothers Rameshwar Das and Brijmohan also played important role. But Mumbai and Kolkata High Courts made it clear that the funds donated by the corporate houses to parties for election shall be compulsorily presented. G.D. Birla was asked to publish election fund collection figures in the newspapers for the sake of public transparency.
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